Floatable stretcher



ug. 35, i944. v A. N. SPANEL 2,351,757

FLOATABLE |STRETCHER Filed Dec. 27, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 15' 4 A. N. sPANEL.

FLOATABLE- STRETCHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledA Dec. 27, 1943 INVENTOR A i, ATT RN EYB Patente'd Ang. 15,

2,355,757 FLDATABLIE STRETCHER Abraham N. Spanel, Princeton, N. J. Application December 27, 1943, Serial No. 515,699

k (Claims.`

This vinvention. relates to floatable stretchers and more particularly to such structures for use as litters to provide a ready means for transporting the injured or wounded on water in the same stretcher on which they are carried on land.

Heretofore, great loss of life has been experienced due to the difficulties of moving wounded and injured through or across bodies of water where boats could not be taken or were inaccessible. While some of these bodies of water could be traversed by stretcher bearers, it was impossible in manycases to handle wounded and injured stretcher cases, especially those seriously injured.

- An objectof this invention is to provide'a float-` able stretcher structure which is compact and readily carried when disassembled, and which may be easily and quicklyassembled and inflated in the field.

Another object of the invention is to provide collapsible readily inflatable stretcher floats adapted to be quickly and safely assembled in position o'n a regular stretcher so as toyform a floatable stretcher which may be readily carried over land or floated over water.

-Further and more specific objects, features and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

AFig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a floatable or buoyant stretcher ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a plan view o f one of the floats shown in Fig. 1 in inflated condition, with certain details of the ends omitted for the sake of clarity;

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively opposite end views of` the structure shown in Fig. 2 and illustrate the structural end features;

Fig. 51s a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the bladder flap open;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the structure of Fig. 2;v

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are respectively top and end views of a. modified form of float utilizing two bladders instead of vone as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a somewhat enlarged view showing an alternative manner of attaching the floats to the ends of thestretcher shown in Fig. l1; I

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 -are perspecive views show-- ing the manner in which the floats are packed when collapsed and thesteps of removal andinflation; and g Fig. 14 shows .a somewhat modified form of stretcher with a float attached thereto.

(Cl. 9-11) v Referring more particularly t'o Fig. 1: l designates in general a stretcher of conventional type provided with spaced apart longitudinally extending relatively rigid members, such as wooden side pieces 2 3 serving to support a canvas or the like member 4 serving as a carrying platform secured to the side pieces, as by having oppositely disposed tubular marginal edges through which the side pieces 2 3 extend so as to expose handle ends of the side pieces. Legs 5 6 and 1 8 are rigidly secured to the respective side pieces 2 3 and in the present embodiment are of stirrup shape. The pairs of legs 5 1 and 6 8 are provided with suitable jointed spreaders (not shown) to maintain side pieces in spaced relation while permitting the stretcher to be collapsed, in the manner well understood. Detachable collapsibleI pneumatic floats designated inv general as 9 and l0,are fastened in place adjacent respectively opposite ends of the stretcher in the manner to be more particularly described following.

The floats 9 and l0 are each constructed and arranged as follows: A flexible casing* Il (Figs. 2-6) is provided by a tubular bodymember I2 (in the present embodiment formed by a seam f i3) to the opposite ends of which are sewed sub-V stantially circular disc ends M IS so as to define a substantially cylindrical casing. The casing body is provided with axially spaced reinforced areas by means oi' patches iB I'i which are secured thereto as by sewing. These patches are preferably on the outside, but may be on the inside if desired, and extend around the casing to an extent to engage the stretcher body adjacent the side pieces 2 3 as well as the` adjacent legs such as 5 8; thuspreventingdetrimental wear of the casing by'c'hafing. One end of the casing is provided with a restricted slitvopening (Fig-5) it for insertion therethrough of a pneumatic bladder i9 (Fig. 2) whose inflation tube 2@ extends through a suitable tongue and is accessible through said slit i8. A closure flapv 2| is secured along one edge to the end l5 and is provided with a snap fastener at its free end for releasable attachment in closed position (Fig. 4).

A canvas or the like flexible strap 22 has one end casing end l5; thus providing a strap girth extending longitudinally of said oat for engagement transversely of the stretcher, either through the stirrup legs. such as 8 (Fig. l) or completeLv around the body (Figs. and 14). Simi-f iirmly secured to the end i 5, preferably extending transverse the straps 24, and their free ends are adapted to be fastened together, as by a buckle .21, to facilitate fastening the straps to the adjalar straps 2li- 26 have their corresponding ends .cent sides of the stretcher,- such as to a leg such as 5 of the stretcher (Fig. 10) or to a leg such as 5 of the modied form of stretcher (Fig. 14)

or to a handle (Fig. l). The other casing end Il is similarly provided with like straps 28-29 (Fig. 3) for securing the other end of the float to an opposite leg (Figs. 10' and 14) such as 1 or a stretcherlhandle (Flg. 1)

/ From the foregoing, it will be seen that the floats may be securely and quickly fastenedin their respective positions on the Vstretcher body stretchers, such for example as the U. S. Army lliter (Figs. 1 and 1o) or the British utter (Fig.

In Figs. 7-9 inclusive, I have shown a modied form of float which in general is similar to the float previously described,'except that in this latter embodiment the casing, which is designated in its entirety asV il', lis provided witha.y transversely extending bulkhead 30 serving to divide the same into two cells which respectively contain separate pneumatic bladders. such as :il-32. Each of the opposite casing ends is provided with a restricted slit opening'and closure flap, for access to the filling tubes of the separate bladders, in all respects like that previously de- `scribed in connection with the embodiment 'of Figs. 4-5. I

'gated substantially cylindrical fabric casing deilned by substantially circular oppositely disposed ends and inflatable `foldable pneumatic bladder means removably disposed therein, said casing being provided with reinforced areas spaced apart longitudinally of said float for engaging' cooperating members of said body, fastening means secured to respectively opposite ends of said casing and providing spaced apart engaging Portions for attachment to spaced apart portions of said body structure.

3. A collapsible pneumatic float for buoyant support of a body structure comprising an elongated`fabric casing provided with and whose crosssectional contour is defined :by transverse fabric ends of curvilinear shape and a pneumatic bladder removably disposed therein, one of said casing ends being provided with a restricted 4opening lfor ins/@tion of said bladder, fastening meansl extending longitudinally of said iloat and 4. A collapsible pneumatic fioa't for buoyantl support of a body structure comprising an elongated fabric ca'sing provided with and whose cross-sectional contour is defined by transverse fabricends of curvilinear shape, said ends being .provided with respective restricted openings for insertion therethrough into said casing of de- Two oats in collapsed condition are normally I carried in a bag. such as 33 (Fig. 11) .preferably with a'spare bladder, and the entire package fweighs only approximately seven pounds. A oat may be readily removed (Fig. 12) and 'easily inflated (Fig. 13), after. which the in ation tubeis closed; the closure ap shut and the float secured to the stretcher body as shown in Fig. 10. After the floats are secured in position (Fig.Y 1),

a patient may be readily transported over land in the usual manner until a body of water isV reached, at which time the stretcher with the patient on it may be readny nested across mi 55 body of water, and the transportation alternately overlandand water is thus made possible. The

cushions'for the stretcher body.

Having thus described mit invention with'particularity, with reference to the preferred embodiment of the same, and having referred to certain modications thereof, it willbeobvious 'to those skilled in the art, after understanding- W Y. support of a body structure comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical fabric casing dey pneumatic floats also serve as eilicient supporting iined. by substantially circular loppositely disposed 'lo ated pneumatic bladders, two -pneumatic bladders removably disposed within said casing and having their respective filling tubes in register with said openings, closure flaps for closing said openings, fastening means extending longitudinally of said float and secured to said casingad- `jacent respectively opposite ends thereof forattachment extending transversely of said body, and fastening means respectively adjacent eachend of said float and secured to said casing for attchmentrto respectively opposite sides of said 5. A collapsible pneumatic float for buoyant f support of a body structure comprising an elongated fabric casing providedwith and whose cross-sectional contour is defined by transverse fabric ends of curvilinear shape, a transversely extending -fabric bulkhead intermediate said ends dividing said casing into two cells, pneumatic bladders removably disposed in respective of said cells, said casingends being provided with' respective restricted. openings for insertion of said bladders into respective cells, fastening means extending longitudinally of said float and secured to said casing adjacent respectively opposite ends thereof for attachment extending transversely of said body, and fastening means respectively adjacent each end of said float and secured to said casing for-attachment to respectively opposite sidesvof said body.

6. .A buoyant structure comprising a body framework, and a pair. of collapsible pneumatic floats detachably secured thereto in spaced apart relationship in a direction transverse their lungi-- tudinal axes, said floats being of substantially cylindrical elongated shape and each comprispneumatic bladder ing a casing of heavy fabric having a substantially continuous side wall and integral fabric .end.wa1ls, one end wall being provided with a 'restricted opening for the insertion of a ilexible collapsible bladder, a bladder disposed in said casing, closure means for said restricted opening, and means for detachably securing said iioat in its respective position on said body. said securing means of each said iioat comprising straps secured on respectively opposite ends of said casing'for attachment to adjacent portions oi said body and a belt extending longitudinally of saidoat secured at its respectively opposite ends-to the ends of said casing and provided intermediate its ends with adjustable releasable 'fastening means for attaching said strap to said body at a transversely extendingzone thereof.

7; A buoyant stretcher comprising a body framework having side pieces and legs secured thereto, and a pair of collapsible pneumatic oats detachably secured relationship longitudinally of said stretcher and in a direction transverse said oats being of substantially cylindrical elongated shape -and each comprising a casing of heavy fabric having a .substantially continu-'- ous side wall and substantially round end walls.

one end wall being provided` with a restricted opening for the insertion of a nexible collapsible bladderI a bladder disposed in said casing, closure means forsaid restricted opening, and Vmeans for detachably securing said float in respective positions on said stretcher body, said securing means of each said iioat comprising straps secured on respective ends ,of said casings for attachmentA to oppositely disposed portions of said stretcher body and a belt extending longitudinally of said iioat secured at its respectively. opposite ends to said casing and provided intermediate its ends with adjustable releasable fastening means for attaching said strap at a transversely extending zone of said stretcher body disthereto in spaced apart their longitudinal axes,

- its ldligitudillal .correspondingly spaced posed on said iioat, said casingside walls being provided with reinforced with said body side pieces.

8. A collapsible pneuma ic iioat for buoyant support of a body structure comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical fabric casing defined by substantially circular. oppositely disposed ends and a pneumatic bladder therein. iirst fastening means secured to said casing adjacent respectively opposite ends thereof for attachment to said body structure. and second fastening means respectively adjacent each end of said iioat and secured to said casing in peripherally spaced relation to said iirst fastening means for attachment to respectively opposite sides of said body whereby said iioat may be afllxed to said body structure Aand restrained against rotation about 9. A collapsible pneumatic oat for buoyant support of a body structure comprising an elongated substantially cylindricalfabric casing deiined by substantially circular oppositely disposed ends and a pneumaticbladder removably disposed therein. said casing being provided with a restricted opening in' one end for insertion of said bladder, an'd a plurality of fastening means secured 'to said casing at longitudinal and circumferentiaily spaced points for attachment to points of said body structure, whereby said oat may be restrained against movement in a direction along and about its longitudinal axis.

10. A buoyant struc e comprising a stretcher provided with oppositely disposed side bars supporting a fabric carrying platform, and a pair of elongated collapsible pneumatic iioats disposedadjacent respectively opposite ends of said stretcher extending transversely thereof and detachably secured thereto beyond the said side bars.

N. SPANEL areas for engagement CERHFIGATB QF coRREcTIoN. Patent-No; 2,555,757. i August 15, 19ML.

N. 'SPANEL It' 1a vhereby certified that error. appea'arsin the specification the above numbere'd patent r'equiring correction asfollows: Page 5, sec* ond mlm, lines 59 and ho, 'laimlo, 'strike nt-me words "beyond nhg Ysaid .aid bars and insert the same aftertherof inline 58, same c1a1m and that the sain;- Letters Patent 'shouldbe rea'd with this correction there' in that the same ma@ conform to the recad'of the casenthe ,Patent Office.-

signed and sealed ,m1826121 da; September-,11. D. 19ML,

V Lele Frazer f (Sdsl) Acting YGo mnillaii'msrt: f Patents; Y 

